USS Johnston (DDG-175) "Fog of War"

Chapter 16

I was laying on the helicopter pad, resting myself from last night's battle with the enemy. Just earlier, a group of kansen arrived for unknown reasons. Throughout the day I saw many stalls open for anyone wanting to buy their wares.

But with dealing with the tiredness, had me skip the options a the port, while I relax and have a bit of personal R&R...

That was when a shadow overlaps my deck and with the sun blocked from my skin, I look to the seaward side of my deck to see no other than Vestal's ship tied alongside my own. Cranes being maneuvered over the MK41 VLS launchers.

I cried out to stop as I run up the stairs to the rear VLS module, where Vestal is starting to pull out her tools.

Me: Vestal, what are you doing? I did not ask you to do any repairs! What's the deal?

Vestal: (sighs) I thought you were notified... Vanguard... Your weaponry is to be removed for the exercise that is being conducted in two days. I have been ordered to remove all active munition from your vessel.

Me: (pointing to her) Do not, pull one single bolt off of that cover. I will talk to Vanguard about this, ok?

Vestal shrugs while she puts away her tools in her handy bag next to her.

Vestal: I will take a break then, been doing ammunition handling all day.

I head off the ship and down past the docks to where the HQ is located overlooking the port. As i head inside, I hear multiple kansen I recognize talking between them.

As I open the door, I can see that Queen Elizabeth, Whales, Vanguard, Warspite and a few others I don't recognize hunched over a table. All conversation stops when I entered.

Elizabeth: It is quite bold of an ex-colony to come in unannounced.

Me: Why is vestal taking apart my armament? What is this naval exercise?

Elizabeth looks over at Vanguard, who appears to shrink herself upon the sight of her leader.

Elizabeth: Vanguard?

Vanguard: (cries) I'm sorry your majesty. I was going to tell her, but she looked too cute to wake up from her napping spot, ahhahahaaaa...

Everyone sweatdrop at the childish antics at Vanguard's expense.

Elizabeth: (sigh) I do apologize... It's an annual naval exercise to keep the kansen of Azur Lane fully ready for combat as well as team building.

Me: So, what are the limitations? If you are removing my major armament, then I only have my 127mm cannon left.

Whales: It is for everyone's protection. While we are made to withstand lots of battle damage, it would be a problem if we accidentally blow up. That is the reason why we are having practice ammunition as the standard for these maneuvers.

Me: (groan) I understand that my problem is that these missiles are very sensitive and require lots of hours to unpack 96 missile tubes from the ship.

Whales: (huff) That is a problem, can it be done?

Me: If vestal and I work all around the clock, its good.

Elizabeth looks down in thought as she thinks about the conversation. it took a long time for her answer.

Elizabeth: Get started on it

I salute and leave the headquarters, I hear Aegis talking about a message about the event, but not from one of us. I acknowledge and quickly got to the ship, where Vestal is currently sitting on the mounting for the Phalanx CIWS.